No wolf could be this smart and cunning. Could they? Sylvie had never seen a wolf in real life until now.
There were rumors of royal werewolves owning this island. She did not believe the stories. It all sounded superstitious to her. Sylvie re-lit the potbelly stove, then closed its top. She went to her satchel and pulled back the flap.
She stuck her left hand inside. A few seconds later, she pulled it out, holding up her fishing knife. She walked back over to her hanging rabbit. She went to the task of skinning and gutting the rabbit. Make sure to set aside a few entrails for fish bait.
Sylvie gave the rabbit leftovers to her new companion. He happily ate the heart, kidneys, and liver. She put the fresh, raw meat on a skewer and placed it in the rotisserie part of the oven. Sylvie closed the oven door. She then went outside and washed the blood from her hands.
She quickly went back inside. She assessed the oil lamps once more. She was running low on lamp oil. She needed to go to town. She couldn't at the moment.
She had to come up with a way to get what she needed without being noticed. The savory aroma of the slow-cooking meat made both Sylvie's and the wolf's mouths water. Their stomachs began groaning at the delicious smell. Forty-five minutes later, they were enjoying their meal. Sylvie was full and warm.
She thanked her lucky stars for the two luxuries she was seldom given on this island. A roof and a warm meal. She glanced at the small woodpile in the corner of her home. They had enough to last them for a few days. They would make it.
Tonight the pitter-patter sound of rain on the tin roof made her wrap her arms around her slender frame. Caleb's words came back to her. Without the wolf could she thrive on her own out here in the wild? Her unfortunate mess-up today left her with very little confidence in herself. The events that had led up to the fire at the brothel, and flashes of her and Caleb laughing together ran across her mind.
Sylvie found herself wondering what it would be like to be married to Caleb. Would they be happy? Would they have many children? Or would the darkness that seemed to shroud her life curse their love? Would she be able to be a normal wife?
Would she want to do the act that would give them children with Caleb? Would he understand if she didn't want to? She shook off the doubts and continued petting the wolf. The wolf seemed wide awake. Life was what you made it, nothing else...
| NEXT FULL MOON |
Randolf's health continued to improve substantially within the next two weeks. The gash on his side was almost healed. He and his companion were getting along better than ever. She was a wolf at heart, he noticed. Always alone but very much aware of her surroundings.
He had come to appreciate how kind and warm she was. At night, when she slept, he called himself her protector. Tonight was the first full moon since he had been here. His paws were invigorated by the bright, glowing orb in the sky. Sylvie realizing he was a very smart dog, fashioned a rope bracelet on the front door for him to use to open the door, so he could come and go as he needed during the night.
Sylvie seemed to understand that he was a wolf and not her pet. He watched her sleep on the mattress made of sweet grass and hay then back at the full moon. He walked over to the front door and put his snout inside the bracelet. He put his snout down and it tugged on the rope, opening the door. He stood on the front porch feeling the moonlight shine on his luscious, black fur.
His yellow eyes closed as he yawned his body and basked in the moon's glow and power. The night air was fresh. The rains had given a reprieve. In one jump he was off of the porch and racing through the forest. The trees and shrubs quickly rushed by him.
The night sounds were all around. The forest was alive, He thought as he continued running. The forest opened up to a fast-moving stream. Randolf ran alongside it, watching his lithe, powerful reflection. He was in his true form.
The stream turned into a waterfall. The wolf made the treacherous ascent. He stood beside the waterfall and took in the beautiful night view of the forest and beyond. Feeling pride for its beauty, he let out a howl. It resounded throughout the forest.
He howled once again. Each time he felt more and more like himself. After he was done with his territorial expression, he knelt his head down and tasted the sweet stream water. With the moonlight shining on him, Randolf changed into his human form. He looked down at his hands and feet, his wolf claws still showing.
He could tell by his vision, that his eyes were still big and yellow.
He touched the gash on his side. It stung like bloody hell but was healing nicely. He was standing at the highest point of the island. Randolf's sense of smell was suddenly assaulted with a burning smell.
He smelled fire. He used his superhuman vision and saw a building along the night Skyline with a black line of smoke rising above it. He could also hear screams for help in the distance. He listened harder. It was the screams of children.
He needed to help them. How? He knew he was no good to anyone in his human form. He would scare the islanders. He knew he couldn't get Sylvie.
She deserved to rest. He recalled the young man who had helped with his wounds. He lived in town. He would be able to help him. Randolf turned back into his wolf form and immediately sought out Sylvie's friend.
The wolf only had one thought in his mind. Save them. Caleb was awakened by strange scratching noises being made outside of his window. He had just laid his head on the pillow. This had been another long night for him and his father, thanks to Amaruq.
Once again, he yawned, sat up, dragged himself out of his warm covers, opened his bedroom window, and looked out. At first, he didn't see anything. Just as he was about to stick his head back in he heard a low bark. He followed the sound and saw the bright yellow eyes of the wolf. What was he doing here?
Where was Sylvie? He wondered. He looked for her but saw nothing but the trees and the muddy trail behind his home. The wolf huffed and stomped his muddy paws. Caleb knew he was trying to tell him something. He quickly donned his boots and jacket. So he wouldn't arouse suspicion, he jumped out of his bedroom window and landed on his feet. The wolf didn't wait. He left. Caleb had to run to keep up with the animal.
After following it for a few seconds, Caleb realized they weren't going to Sylvie. The wolf maneuvered the heavy flow of people. It used the side streets and alleyways to get them to their destination in a timely fashion.
The closer they came, the more he understood. There was a fire. He heard the screams of women and the shrill cry of children. The island's orphanage was going up in smoke.
Caleb looked down at the wolf. Suddenly the wolf lunged himself into the open door of flames. Everyone within distance was caught off guard by the fire itself and didn't seem to notice the animals presence. The headmistress of the orphanage, along with ten small children stumbled out of the entryway. Their screams of terror were muffled by the black smoke. Because of the smoke near passers-by began to cover their faces with handkerchiefs and half-run out of the area.
The smoke was thick. It seemed to make the night sky darker. Caleb was was doubly shocked about the fire and how the wolf knew about it. How did the wolf know how to find him? Was this really happening?
The ever growing feeling of alarm was palpable all around.
He heard people scream, "Fire! Fire!"
The wolf barked his return from the burning building and was followed by four women carrying three small children at a time. The children clinged on for dear life as they quickly ran outside. Caleb immediately began checking on them. The fire had started from the back and was quickly growing. The orphanage stood alone.It was a sad place even before the fire.
It was one of the oldest buildings in town. The fire station was too far away. Caleb knew by the time they poured water on this. It would be almost gone. Caleb along with the headmistress from the orphanage secure the children.
Caleb saw her counting them and then saw her face in horror and despair. "Timmy! Timmy!" She cried, looking around. Her eyes bulging, bigger and bigger with each call of the boy's name.